Taiwanese Authorities Research Articles

Cooperation Between Indonesia And Taiwan In Supporting The Protection Of Runaway Indonesian Migrant Workers In Taiwan

Indonesia's relations with Taiwan cannot be separated from problems and issues related to Indonesian Migrant Workers. Among these issues is the case of Indonesian Migrant Workers who exceeded the period of stay or overstayed in Taiwan. The overstaying status of Indonesian Migrant Workers creates vulnerability to violations of the rights of Indonesian Migrant Workers and even Indonesian Migrant Workers can be treated arbitrarily. So protection is needed so that the rights of Indonesian Migrant Workers are fulfilled. The type of research that the author will use is qualitative descriptive research because it is considered appropriate to research needs. The data sources used by the author in this research are secondary data such as data obtained from documents, photos, research journals, books relevant to research, news and credible internet media as support for primary sources related to regulations. the rights of Indonesian migrant workers abroad. The results of this research show that the protection and cooperation efforts undertaken to protect Indonesian Migrant Workers include institutional improvements through BP2MI, the launch of the SP2T and Embedded SP2T schemes, the renewal of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Taiwan and Indonesia regarding the Recruitment, Placement and Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers in December 2018, as well as a self-surrender program for overstayer workers from the Taiwanese authorities.

Эволюция политики “стратегической неопределенности” США в тайваньском вопросе

The article is dedicated to the analysis of “strategic ambiguity” concept – a tool of U.S. foreign policy aimed at dual deterrence of both mainland China and breakaway Taiwan. Washington stayed deliberately ambiguous in its commitments to defend Taiwan thus leaving Beijing uncertain whether the U.S. will intervene in case of escalation in the Strait, and at the same time not encouraging Taiwanese authorities to declare full independence and sovereignty which would provoke military escalation with mainland China, dragging the U.S. into full-scale conflict with the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA). The article analyzes the roots of this approach during D. Eisenhower’s years in office, its evolution en course and after the Cold War, and its erosion under D. Trump and J. Biden. The article shows that the U. S. President Eisenhower wished to maintain status-quo in Taiwan Strait, fearing that he would either have to turn a blind eye on the communist takeover of Taiwan, or be dragged into conflict with the close ally of Moscow, which would eventually lead to the war with the USSR. Eisenhower and his administration remained ambiguous in their communications with the PRC (mainland China) and Taiwan, not encouraging the island to declare full independence and at the same time not giving Beijing a carte blanche for military intervention. This approach dubbed in political science and international relations theory as “strategic ambiguity” proved to be useful, and was reinforced during Washington–Beijing rapprochement in 1970s. Under Trump administration, the U.S. started to consider dropping the “strategic ambiguity” policy towards clearer deterrence commitments. This trend manifested via emotional statements made by Donald Trump himself, mostly on social media, as well as through a change of tone in key foreign policy documents and new decisions that signaled a serious revision of the American approach to military cooperation between the United States and Taiwan. This trend continued and exacerbated under Biden administration due to number of bills signed, including the Taiwan Enhanced Resilience Act (TERA) which de-facto dubbed the contested island as Washington’s “Major Non-NATO Ally” and enabled to boost military supplies. The erosion of the “strategic ambiguity” policy also manifested through various high-profile contacts, including the House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit on the island.

Pirates and imperialists: Taiwan and the United States in the Polish communist press, 1953-1955

ABSTRACT This paper analyses the image of Taiwan (the Republic of China) in the Polish communist press in the mid-1950s. It focuses on the news coverage related to the two Polish cargo ships – the Praca and the Prezydent Gottwald – which were detained by the Taiwanese authorities in 1953 and 1954, respectively. Based on the press narratives and supported by declassified government documents, the paper analyses the impact of the Cold War conflicts and divisions on the detention of Polish ships and its coverage by the Polish communist media.

Japanese Semiconductor Industry’s Collaboration with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company

On 17 December 2021, Japan granted administrative approval to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Ltd (TSMC) to build a US$7 billion semiconductor chip-manufacturing foundry in Japan. The collaboration between the Sony Group and the world’s No. 1 Taiwanese chipmaker is named Japan Advanced Semiconductor Manufacturing, Inc. and will provide foundry service with 22/28-nanometre capability. This joint venture has taken off due to mutual commercial interest and support from the Japanese and Taiwanese authorities.

Problems of the Historical Past in Japanese-Taiwanese Relations during the Chen Shui-bian Administration (2000–2008)

Taiwan, which was ruled by the Japanese Empire from 1895 to 1945, still remains one of the few regions whose inhabitants do not emphasize the negative aspects of the colonial period. Discussions in Taiwanese society about the problems of the historical past traditionally are represented by two issues: the question of sovereignty over the Diaoyudao/Senkaku islands and the demand from Tokyo of an apology and compensation for Taiwanese “comfort women”. Moreover, both of these problems, even if they appeared on the domestic political agenda, were never acute and did not have a significant impact on the development of traditionally close Japanese-Taiwanese relations. Questions of the historical past, as a rule, represented only one part of the larger discussions regarding the national identity of the islanders and the search for models of further development of Taiwan. All these aspects of the “Taiwanese approach” to issues related to the problematic past came into full play during the presidency of Chen Shui-bian (2000–2008). During this time, Tokyo and Taipei maintained a rather high level of political contacts and encouraged cooperation between Japan and Taiwan despite the actualization of the “comfort women” issue, which became the baseline for new discussions about the colonial past and the role of Japan in developing modern Taiwan. The article discusses the approaches of Taiwanese authorities in 2000–2008 to the interpretation of Japan’s war-time past and colonial period of Taiwan history in the context of development of relations between Tokyo and Taipei.

Exploring Public Awareness of Overwork Prevention With Big Data From Google Trends: Retrospective Analysis.

BackgroundTo improve working conditions and prevent illness and deaths related to overwork, the Taiwanese government in 2015, 2016, and 2018 amended regulations regarding working time, overtime, shifts, and rest days. Such policy changes may lead to a rising public awareness of overwork-related issues, which may in turn reinforce policy development.ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate to what extent public awareness of overwork-related issues correlated with policy changes.MethodsPolicies, laws, and regulations promulgated or amended in Taiwan between January 2004 and November 2019 were identified. We defined 3 working conditions (overwork, long working hours, and high job stress) related to overwork prevention, generated a keyword for each condition, and extracted the search volumes for each keyword on the Google search engine as proxy indicators of public awareness. We then calculated the monthly percentage change in the search volumes using the Joinpoint Regression Program.ResultsApparent peaks in search volumes were observed immediately after policy changes. Especially, policy changes in 2010 were followed by a remarkable peak in search volumes for both overwork and working hours, with the search volumes for overwork increased by 29% per month from June 2010 to March 2011. This increase was preceded by the implementation of new overwork recognition guidelines and media reports of several suspected overwork-related events. The search volumes for working hours also steadily increased, by 2% per month in September 2013 and afterward, reaching a peak in January 2017. The peak was likely due to the amendment to the Labor Standards Act, which called for “1 fixed and 1 flexible day off per week,” in 2016. The search volumes for job stress significantly increased (P=.026) but only by 0.4% per month since March 2013.ConclusionsOver the past 15 years, Taiwanese authorities have revised and implemented several policies to prevent overwork-related health problems. Our study suggests a relationship between the implementation of policies that clearly defined the criteria for overwork and working hours and the rising public awareness of the importance of overwork prevention and shorter working hours.

Comparative Study of Regulations of Devices for Aesthetic Purposes: US, European Union, China, and Taiwan

PurposeThe aim of this study is to examine how aesthetic devices are defined and managed. Regulation discrepancies between clinical use and home use in four regions are also described.MethodsThe official websites and databases of US, European, Chinese, and Taiwanese authorities were used to collect regulation information for aesthetic devices. Moreover, the regulations for eight aesthetic products, four used in clinics by experts and four used at home by lay people, were compared.ResultsThe results show that the principle of operation and intended use are key points for determining whether an aesthetic device is a medical device (MD). Although the term “aesthetic” is not included in the MD definition, most aesthetic devices are regulated as MDs by the four regional authorities based on the devices’ technical specifications and intended use, especially for high-risk devices and high-end products. For home-use aesthetic devices, the control measures also depend on function and intended use, but different authorities have different acceptance ranges. Manufacturers should pay more attention to regulation requirements in difference regions before putting devices on the market.ConclusionWith the fast growth of aesthetic devices, government authorities need to make regulations to keep up with new products. Determining whether an aesthetic product is an MD on the basis of its risk could be a practical option for administrators. This study evaluated the regulation of aesthetic devices as MDs in the US, European Union, China, and Taiwan, and provides important information for further policy and regulation development.

Return migrants, mini‐tours and rural regeneration: A study of local food movement in Taiwan

AbstractSince the turn of the century, food safety has been one of the most significant social issues in Taiwan. In face of a series of alarming food‐poisoning scares, which pushed many Taiwanese to search for good safe food, the Taiwanese authorities have initiated a variety of strategies to handle food production issues. At county level, government sponsored projects, such as rural regeneration projects, have coincided with a wave of return migration, in which young city dwellers have returned to rural towns in order to engage in sustainable food production. There is also a popularising trend of ‘mini‐tours’, a leisurely activity that sees urban tourists visiting rural regions in search of ‘authentic’ traditions, such as those around food. This confluence of food safety concerns, official rural regeneration schemes, civil movements for sustainable food production, local tourism and emerging discourses on authentic food and food localism has fashioned an interesting food scene in Taiwan. This paper will examine the impacts of these joint forces. It will also illustrate how local food producers have struggled to construct a new food producer–consumer relationship that also contributes to the sustainable development of Taiwan.

The effect of mandatory disclosure requirements and disclosure types of auditor fees on earnings management: Evidence from Taiwan

Abstract The Taiwanese authorities issued and revised the disclosure regulations with regard to auditor fees three times during the period 2002–2012. The most important change in disclosure regulation is that firms have to disclose their auditor fees and have been able to disclose fees in the form of individual amount or fee range since 2009. This study extends the perspective of auditor independence to explore the effect of mandatory disclosure requirements and disclosure types of auditor fees on earnings management of listed corporations. The results show that the enhanced information transparency induced by the mandatory disclosure requirements of auditor fees is useful to reduce both positive accruals-based earnings management and real earnings management. Furthermore, firms that disclose their auditor fees in the form of individual amount have lower positive accruals-based earnings management than those in the form of fee range. The overall findings are consistent with the notion that the enhanced information transparency related to auditor fees is associated with enhanced auditor independence and thus support Dye's (1991) theory.

Probability of Road Interruption due to Landslides under Different Rainfall-Return Periods Using Remote Sensing Techniques

AbstractHeavy rainfall-induced landslides along mountain routes in Taiwan easily cause road interruption, especially under extreme rainfall conditions. Road interruption due to rainfall-induced landslides is a major problem for Taiwanese authorities. In this study, remote sensing data, including satellite images and aerial photos, were employed to interpret landslides, which were mapped using geographical information systems (GISs). The goal was an event-based landslide inventory. Causative and triggering factors for landslides were adopted in a logistic model to predict landslide occurrence. These factors included lithology, normalized difference vegetation index, slope gradient, slope roughness, maximum elevation, total curvature, total slope height, maximum hourly rainfall, and total accumulated rainfall. With the proposed landslide prediction model, the probability of road interruption due to rainfall-induced landslides was evaluated under different rainfall-return periods. The model was confirmed by ...

A Recommended Integrated Mechanism to Enhance OSH Management of Blue-Collar Foreign Workers in Taiwan

This study examines the roles and functions of businesses, labor-exporting countries’ representative offices in Taiwan, religious organizations, and manpower agencies in promoting occupational safety and health (OSH). It also offers advice to Taiwanese authorities on making policies and improvements regarding the oversight mechanism mandated by the Labor Safety and Health Act, giving them an idea of what to focus on when enforcing control over blue-collar foreign workers’ OSH conditions. This study also proposes that Taiwanese authorities may serve not only as an overseer/inspector of those hiring blue-collar foreign workers in Taiwan, but also expand their role to lay down policies regarding a variety of OSH teaching materials in the blue-collar foreign workers’ native languages (spoken or written), the qualifications of translators in blue-collar foreign workers’ OSH training programs, and regulations concerning the longer hours such training programs take.

Epidemiology of pandemic influenza A/H1N1 virus during 2009–2010 in Taiwan

Outbreak of swine-origin influenza A/H1N1 virus (pdmH1N1) occurred in 2009. Taiwanese authorities implemented nationwide vaccinations with pdmH1N1-specific inactivated vaccine as of November 2009. This study evaluates prevalence, HA phylogenetic relationship, and transmission dynamic of influenza A and B viruses in Taiwan in 2009–2010. Respiratory tract specimens were analyzed for influenza A and B viruses. The pdmH1N1 peaked in November 2009, was predominant from August 2009 to January 2010, then sharply dropped in February 2010. Significant prevalence peaks of influenza B in April–June of 2010 and H3N2 virus in July and August were observed. Highest percentage of pdmH1N1- and H3N2-positive cases appeared among 11–15-year-olds; influenza B-positive cases were dominant among those 6–10 years old. Maximum likelihood phylogenetic trees showed 11 unique clusters of pdmH1N1, seasonal H3N2 influenza A and B viruses, as well as transmission clusters and mixed infections of influenza strains in Taiwan. The 2009 pdmH1N1 virus was predominant in Taiwan from August 2009 to January 2010; seasonal H3N2 influenza A and B viruses exhibited small prevalence peaks after nationwide vaccinations. Phylogenetic evidence indicated transmission clusters and multiple independent clades of co-circulating influenza A and B strains in Taiwan.

Essentiality of HIV testing and education for effective HIV control in the national pilot harm reduction program: The Taiwan experience

In 2005, a national pilot harm reduction program (PHRP), which mainly included a methadone maintenance treatment program (MMTP) and a needle/syringe exchange program (NSP), was implemented in Taiwan. We conducted this study to evaluate the effectiveness of harm reduction measures on HIV control among injecting drug users (IDUs) between PHRP and nonPHRP. The data on HIV, collected from incumbent Taiwanese authorities, were analyzed for their associations, risk and protective factors with PHRP measures. While the monthly HIV incidences did not show significant differences before and after PHRP in the four areas with PHRP (Taipei City, Taipei County, Taoyuan County and Tainan County), a significant increase in the HIV incidence was found in the 21 areas without PHRP. Hence, the implementation of the PHRP did result in a significant difference in the monthly HIV incidence between areas with and without the PHRP. Mandatory HIV testing was significantly associated with the HIV incidence according to the generalized estimation equations (GEE) model. With adjustments of time period and area with PHRP, and urban area, protective factors associated with HIV incidence were: educational materials, condoms, dilution water, and alcohol sponges/swabs. MMTP contributed to a higher HIV incidence, probably due to the concurrent HIV testing upon admission. Since HIV testing was not required in the NSP, the HIV testing-dependent MMTP may explain the association of the PHRP intervention and an increased HIV incidence. In summary, HIV testing and education were essential for effective HIV control upon implementing the PHRP.

Why They Cannot Work Together: A Study of the Co-Management of Natural Resources with Indigenous People in Taiwan

This study explores the reasons for the failure to establish co-managed protected areas (CMPAs) in Taiwan despite supporting legislation being in place since the early 2000s. The study adopts qualitative research methods to examine the case of the proposed Lumpi CMPA, in which the local indigenous people failed to persuade the government's district forest-management authority to designate a natural protected area under co-management arrangements in accordance with legislation. The study finds that insufficient motivation and its concerns about loss of control over forest management caused the district authority to snub the proposed co-management arrangements with the indigenous people. Although a legal basis for co-management clearly exists, it is apparent that Taiwanese authorities can avoid the intention of the legislation by administrative maneuvers. The study concludes that a combination of greater political will and more comprehensive legislation is required if CMPAs are to be established in Taiwan.

Minimum Shareholding Requirements for Insiders: Evidence from Taiwanese SMEs

ABSTRACTManuscript Type: EmpiricalResearch Question/Issue: This study aims to evaluate the suitability of Taiwan's minimum shareholding requirement for small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs), and to examine whether stewardship theory and both incentive and entrenchment effects can characterize the ownership‐performance relationship simultaneously.Research Findings/Results: We apply new empirical methods to a balanced panel dataset including 496 firm‐level observations of 62 Taiwanese SMEs publicly traded from 1999 to 2006. The results show a nonlinear ownership‐performance relationship, first negative then positive, with a single threshold value of insider ownership (5.4 per cent). This indicates that both effects combine and that the current regulated minimum level of insider shareholdings for public SMEs may be too high.Theoretical Implications: Our evidence supports both convergence‐of‐interests and entrenchment effects and suggests a better specification that prevents spurious relations obtained from traditional methods. The stewardship theory does work in Taiwan. Insiders behave as loyal stewards rather than motivated by desire for entrenchment. Our empirical evidence suggests an avenue of future research, specifically to form better strategies for those involved in corporate governance.Practical Implications: We suggest that Taiwanese authorities should lessen ownership obligations, thereby leading to improved corporate governance by increasing the independence of the boards of directors. Emerging markets can learn from the Taiwan experience and then formulate their own regulations. Publicly traded SMEs could offer compensation to insiders such as stock options and performance shares. Asymmetric information problems often experienced by outside stockholders and foreign investors can be alleviated by these signals of insider ownership.

Legal Status of Taiwan in the World Health Organization

From 1997 to 2007, in order to fight for its so-called “international room”, Taiwan continuously endeavored to try and squeeze into the Word Health Organization (Hereinafter referred to as the “WHO”). However, the outcome has always been disappointing for Taiwan due to the diplomatic endeavor of the People’s Republic of China. In 2007, the fight especially attracted the world’s attention because Taiwan bid for membership to the WHO instead of observer status for which it had previously been bidding. In fact, Taiwan’s request for WHO membership had a big impression on the world and the reason why Taiwan has had a great interest in the WHO is not to engage in meaningful participation within the WHO, as propagandized by Taiwanese authorities, but to eventually acquire recognition as an independent state. Although Taiwan has failed to achieve its goals for 11 years, accession to membership of the WHO has been, and still will be, a political goal pursued by Taiwanese authorities. The question is whether this goal can be backed from a legal perspective. It is submitted that the answer is “No.”

Motivations and Satisfactions of Taiwanese Tourists Who Visit Australia

This study explores the motivations of Taiwanese visitors to Australia and investigates the satisfactions they received from their visit. The study uses a push and pull approach to find 17 push motivations and 18 pull motivations for travel. ‘Travelling around the world’ was found to be the most important push factor, while ‘sunshine and scenery’ was regarded as the most important pull factor. An importance and performance analysis (IPA) using factors of motivations was applied to investigate the differences between the importance and performance of these motivations. Most motivation factors were delivered before and after the visit. Among the negative satisfactions, Taiwanese visitors felt that the price of goods was high, the destination did not provide good value for money, and the food was not varied enough. Several recommendations were provided for both Australian and Taiwanese tourism managers and authorities.

THE TRAVELING SEMINAR: AN EXPERIMENT IN CROSS‐CULTURAL TOURISM AND EDUCATION IN TAIWAN

This article explores the anthropologist's role in facilitating and guiding international educational traveling seminars through interaction with local people, based on my experiences with such seminars in Taiwan. Since the late 1980s, the Taiwanese authorities have reviewed restricted space, converting it into scenic areas and national parks. Martial law was lifted, allowing for changes in the society and introducing a “green” consciousness concerned with examining local roots. In 1992, a method of tourism was developed in which the participants of traveling seminars visited places in Taiwan or other world locations expecting to (1) explore, (2) learn, (3) interact, (4) respect, (5) share qualitative feedback with one another, and (6) enjoy the process. When addressing a topic for discussion, such as cultural heritage or the environment, each member of such traveling seminars speaks in his or her own language to share with the group. That is to say, participants explore through travel as a learning process, interacting with others with concern and respect for differences, sharing experiences, and conversing in their mother tongues with translation assistance.

Analysing and Forecasting the Taiwanese Exchange Rate Against the US Dollar (1988-91) - Financial and Economic Forecasting (chapter 16)

In this chapter, economic forecasting techniques were used to forecast the exchange rate of the New Taiwan (N.T.) dollar, given that there is a tolerable amount of favourable trade balance between Taiwan and the US. To test this monthly data for the economic variables; Taiwanese exchange rate against the US dollar, money supply, and trade balance (exports to US minus imports from US) was examined. The results were suggestive that the balance of trade would remain less than 1 billion per month, thus ensuring that the US authorities will not exert any pressures on the Taiwanese authorities for policy changes.

Multiple Regime Shifts and Multiple Ends of the Taiwanese Hyperinflation, 1945‐1953

We reexamine the behavior of money growth, inflation, and real money balances in post‐World War II Taiwan. Our results suggest that the importance of the June 1949 reform package has been overstated. The empirical work reveals an extended period of instability that begins several months prior to the June 1949 announcements and continues until early 1950. This implies that stabilization was achieved only gradually. We also point to the importance of two high‐interest deposit programs—introduced in May 1949 and March 1950—in helping account for the Taiwanese authorities' ability to end the inflationary spiral.